Vernon Jepsen

Vernon Adolph Jepsen was born October 1, 1929, the son of Herman, Sr. and Dora Beeck Jepsen. He passed away being comforted by his loving family on Tuesday, September 24, 2013, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa, at the age of 83.
Vernon was born in Schleswig, Iowa. He received his education in the Hanover #2 country school. Vernon was baptized in Christ at United Church of Christ in Schleswig on March 1, 1930, and confirmed at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in 1956. On November 30, 1950, Vernon joined the U.S. Navy serving his country during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on September 24, 1954.
On July 28, 1956, Vernon was united in marriage to Diann Petersen at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Ricketts, Iowa, by Rev. Wiese. The couple made their home in Ricketts in the house that Vernon built and they were blessed with the birth of six children.
He farmed in 1956-57; drove a gravel truck in 1958-59; owned and operated a milk route from 1960-71, at the same time also hauling livestock. In 1971 Vernon went to work for Crawford County as a Patrol Operator until officially retiring in 1997. He loved spending time on his son’s farm after retirement and still raised chickens and helped out where he could.
Vernon had a great work ethic and loved to keep busy, even in his spare time - work was his hobby. He was a member of the American Legion Post 66 for over 50 years; a member and Chief of the Ricketts Fire Department; served on the Ricketts City Council and a member of the Ricketts Community Club.
He enjoyed woodworking, going fishing on the Red River, and having coffee with friends. Vernon was a friend to all and no one ever remained a stranger to him. Vernon’s favorite things to watch on television were wrestling and westerns and he also enjoyed playing Solitaire. Vernon was a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Ricketts where he served as a trustee.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Adolph and Gerhardine (Brűsson) Petersen; one daughter-in-law, Kathy (Sears) Jepsen; two brothers: Fred Jepsen and his wife, Irene; and Herman Jepsen, Jr.; one sister, Irene Abbe and her husband, Theodore; one niece, Beverly Jepsen; one nephew, Dennis Petersen; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Shirley Jepsen; Melvin Petersen; Vernon Petersen; John Jors; Ruby and Don Lewis; Phyllis and Lester Rolfes; and Annetta Petersen. Survivors include his wife, Diann of Ricketts; six children: Rodney Jepsen and his wife, Sandy of Castana, Iowa; Kathy Berens-Brownmiller and her husband, Steve of Denison, Iowa; Lori Jepsen of Glidden, Iowa; Kim Jepsen of Ida Grove, Iowa; Todd Jepsen and his wife, Tara of Schleswig, Iowa; and Brenda Schmid and her husband, Scott of Le Mars, Iowa; 12 Grandchildren; 4 Great-grandchildren; two brothers, Victor Jepsen of Battle Creek, Iowa; and Edwin Jepsen and his wife, Marilynn of Denison; one sister-in-law, Irene Jors of Ricketts, Iowa; and one brother-in-law, Leonard Petersen of Jacksonville, Arkansas; other relatives and friends.